ATENEO de Manila University Blue Eagles marked its return to competition with a 71-60 victory over Our Lady of Fatima University in the Pinoyliga Big Dance on Sunday at the Blue Eagles Gym.
Playing its first game since the Aurora tragedy two months ago, Ateneo overcame a tight opening half before pulling away in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
One-and-done recruit Travis Roberts led the Blue Eagles with 17 points and seven rebounds and was named Player of the Game for his performance.
Kieffer Alas added 12 points, while Jared Bahay also delivered key plays in the final period as Ateneo widened its advantage late.
The Blue Eagles entered the fourth quarter holding a 50-47 lead and eventually stretched it to 71-55 before OLFU trimmed the deficit in the closing minutes.
Mamadou Toure paced the Phoenix with 21 points, four rebounds, two blocks and one steal, while Keith Bencalo contributed 12 points.
The victory was Ateneo’s first game since the deaths of Blue Eagles Rene Clert Baterbonia and Divine Adili during an off-campus team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora, on June 8. (Adrian Co)
